Sony ranks number one with U.S. consumers


Sony has always ranked among the top three in the annual American survey

By Jane Searle

(CNN) -- Two Japanese companies, Sony and Honda, rank in the top ten of 'best brands' for American consumers, according to a new survey.

Online pollsters Harris Interactive said consumer electronics company Sony ranked number one for the third consecutive year.

Sony tops the list for the fifth time in seven years. It has never ranked lower than third in the eight years of the annual survey.

"No other brand comes close to matching this record," Harris said in releasing the results Wednesday.

Japanese auto maker Honda came ninth, making the top ten for the first time.

On the flip side, rival auto firm Toyota – which ranked fourth last year – vanished from the top ten.

U.S. computer company Dell moved to second spot, after failing to make the top ten last year.

Auto maker Ford slipped to third from second last year. It has always ranked among the top four.

Dairy group Kraft made its debut in the top ten at number four, with Coca-Cola moving up a spot to number five.

Other top ten brands included General Electric (6, down from 3 last year), Pepsi-Cola (7), Tide (8), and General Motors (10).

Neither Pepsi-Cola nor Tide were in the top ten in 2001.

Harris Interactive said results were based on an online survey of 2050 adults between June 20 and June 26.